Training Script Do’s & Dont’s
The script is the engine of the training video.
It is the single most important component
A great training video script even if supported by weak visuals can still result in a good video.
But a poor script and great visuals will almost always result in a weak less effective video.
When writing a training video script, use a 3 column structure:
> Column 1 to number each line, and specify what type of image it is, eg, if it’s video or graphics or a still etc
> Column 2 to show the voiceover or spoken word, what is heard.
> Column 3 to show any storyboard intentions such as visuals, director notes, location pointers, etc
As the script develops to become a fully fledged storyboard, the 3 column structure can be retained and developed as more detail and requirements come on on board.
A collaborative document approach such as Google Docs, avoids everyone having separate script versions and subsequent confusion arising.
Every individual in a workforces will need persuading.
You have to sell them on the idea of learning, and motivate them to be willing to adapt and change to new ways.
In a broad way, you can consider that:
> 30% will do whatever you ask of them – the Yes’s
> 30% don’t care about you and never will – The Naysayers
> 30% are open to persuasion – The Floating Voter
The rule is:
> Don’t worry about the Yes’s as they’ll easily come on board.
> Ignore the Naysayers as you’ll find it difficult to make a difference with these individuals no matter what you do.
> Focus your efforts on the Floating Voter, the individual who can be reasonably persuaded to adopt the new training idea or scheme of things.
The worst thing you can do is assume that people will want to learn simply because you’ve made them a training video.
This is where a great training script comes in.
It will talk to individuals at their level, applying their reasons, and be acceptable to their way of thinking.
It should relate not dictate.
Determining training script content
> Start by developing the script from the bullet list agreed in the 1st Production Meeting.
> Do this collectively as a group during the script meeting, then let the training scriptwriter finish it off in privacy.
> Keep to training objectives. Sentences that don’t help deliver training objectives should be omitted.
> Less is always more.
> Tell them what you’re going to tell them then tell them, then tell them what you told them.
Expanding on this:
The temptation is often there to provide unnecessary background detail on the training, typically where a managers wants to tell the story of the project (which is almost like putting your CV on the video). Enthusiastic training video producers encourage this by suggesting the manager does “a talking head to camera” when this isn’t necessary.
Avoid telling the story of the project and stick to the training objectives.
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